Michael Hibbard

Tag: immortal memories

Summer has come and as a result I’ve been busy. But fear not, I have been working on new material, including Book II, The Unkindness.

Today’s post is to remind everyone that there is an interim novella available on Kindle called Lost Haven. This story happens a few weeks after the Halloween events in Waking Dream: Devlin. The purpose of this novella was to give my readers a better understanding of my concept of Weirdness. There are several different forms displayed in this novella, hopefully enough to spur your own creative juices so you can help me build the world.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I created the Waking Dream universe so that others could add to it, long after I am gone — such as Lovecraft fans continue to create new stories around the Cthulhu mythos.

Lost Haven is a fast paced story about a mysterious group of individuals called The Order of Seers. It features several new characters as well as a couple of characters from the first book.

I had to throw my hat into the Zombie genre, just a tad, and give my take on the phenomenon. While the story is primarily dark fantasy, it does have horror elements. I try not to limit the story, because life nor the universe is limited. Anything can happen in the Waking Dream.

Soon, I will be releasing another novella, right before Book II. “Shadows on the Soul” completes my trilogy of terror and my homage to H.P. Lovecraft, which started with “The House of the Dead Timbers” and “The Case Study”. “Shadows on the Soul” will be available by the end of summer. Even though they are horror tales, they all related, in some way, to the Waking Dream. Can you find the connections?

I thank you all again for your wonderful support of my writing. I hope you enjoy it.

Just wanted to share with you an awesome review of my latest publication, Immortal Memories.

You can read a synopsis of the stories here. They are self-contained stories about the Immortals that inhabit the Waking Dream Universe. Each story is of a different genre, and set in various time periods over the last 200 years. There is something for everyone!

I wanted to take a moment and talk a bit about who I am and what I write. I’ve gained quite a few new followers so I though it was time that I gave you a little more insight into me, what I write, and what inspires me to continue.

I am laying it all out there, because I am a communicator, well, online that is. In real life, I’m a bit of a recluse, and am not really good in social situations, which I am working on.

Who were my inspirations?

I’ve been an avid reader since I was really young. The first adult book I read was “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. I’ve always loved the supernatural, so I continued with other authors such as Poe, Lovecraft, King, Bradbury, F. Paul Wilson and many others. Oddly, my two biggest influences were Lovecraft and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Lovecraft is an inspiration because he loved description, words and his creation of the Cthulhu Mythos. Fitzgerald is an inspiration for his writing style, his ability to expose the dark underbelly of our society, and for giving us my favorite book, The Great Gatsby.

The Waking Dream is not all that I write, but it is a huge focus on my career because it spans so many genres and deals with many social issues, both for adults and young adults. I love to write horror, especially Lovecraftian Horror, because I do love a good scary tale, and it seems that there are not enough new ideas coming out. I have not been scared by anything that has come out lately. I abhor slasher type books, because the news does a pretty good job of covering that genre. It’s all too real and close to home.

The inspiration for the Waking Dream truly came from my personal quest to understand the nature of reality. I am inspired by a variety of things: the change of seasons, weird happenings, interactions between people, philosophy, religion, science and the paranormal.

When Did I Start Writing?

I really started writing stories when I was 12. I was attending a Catholic School in Woodbury, New Jersey. It was very old, and the basement was very creepy. I wrote a screen play about dark rituals happening in the basement at night. My teacher at the time, Mr. DuBois, fully supported me filming it and got permission for me to do so. Unfortunately, before we could do the film, my parents moved to Pennsylvania.

I was an avid Role-Player, and I’ve played just about every table-top game there is, and I enjoyed being the storyteller more than the player. I would write very involved campaigns, which were essentially interactive stories. Then when I got on the internet, I went crazy in the chat rooms with story lines, and had three channels devoted to different settings. Castle Nightshade was a high fantasy storyline set in a world I created with over 100 people playing at any given time. Night City was a vampire based storyline with many of the same people playing back and forth. And then finally, The Waking Dream which only had 12 players as a private group.

My first novel, which was published by Phantasm Books, is my crowning achievement as an author. I was very pleased to have my book recognized so quickly without having been published anywhere before. Waking Dream: Devlin is just the first of many to come. I enjoyed writing it, hated the editing process, and have stressed the promotion. But in the end, I am happy with what I have produced.

I do get a lot of people who are very confused about the subject matter contained in the Waking Dream. I have many journals with all of the particulars about the Waking Dream Universe, because it is quite expansive. I am trying to create a world that is wholly unique, but emulates Cthulhu Mythos, or Frank Herbert’s Dune.

I am fascinated with the universe. I rarely watch any non-science shows, because I want to understand the nature of reality. So, I started the Waking Dream as a synthesis of all the concepts I feel to be true about our universe. If the universe were just a dream we should be able to control it. It’s just a matter of learning how to. We are all children, no matter how old we get. But, we tend to start to disbelieve that we have the power to change it. We get wrapped up in politics, our daily jobs, acquiring things, and we stop believing that life really is very magical. The fact that we exist at all is magical in of itself.

The Waking Dream is targeted to people who want to believe and it is appropriate for young adults, as well as adults. I explore social issues, so there is a lot of allegory in the novel. I also explore topics that plague our children today, such as coming of age, self-mutilation, poor self-esteem, dealing with loss, and how to fit in. On the social level, I address self-sustaining communities, religion, reincarnation, the degradation of society, politics, and the struggle between good vs. evil.

What Do I Do for My Day Job?

Currently, I am a data analyst, and I do enjoy it, because it has helped my ability to market my book, and self-promote. It all comes down to numbers. But, on the side, I am a programmer and I can program in 11 different computer languages. All of it self-taught, as I am a true autodidact. Structured learning is not my thing. I tend to learn better when I can move at my own pace.

However, I did not start out in this field. I have had many many different jobs in my 43 years. Here are the ones I can remember:

All of the jobs I’ve had contributed to my experience as a writer. I have learned something valuable from each of them, though I wasn’t necessarily happy in each job. Working at a toy store during Christmas was an absolute nightmare!

What Are My Hobbies?

I am a firm believer in the saying “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”. Those of you who frequent my blog know that I try to post at least once a day. But I also have my facebook pages, my four secret twitter accounts, and my main @arkangyl account. So I do love social media. But my other hobbies include:

Drawing/Illustration (I have designed all but one of my book covers), Guitar, Drums, Music in general, Cooking, Console and PC Gaming, Role-playing, Poetry, Reading, Philosophy, Quantum Physics, Mathematics, Programming Apps and Board Games.

Writing I do not consider a hobby. This is what I ultimately want to do for a full-time job, and I feel confident that I will get there. As I’ve said to my other fellow authors, who are just starting out, it takes patience. Everything requires work and honing one’s craft.

Why Did I Do This?

First, I really did this because I wanted you all to know who I really am. I believe that it is important to engage my friends, (I hate the term followers). I do no spend all night looking for people to follow. I tweet and if someone follows me, I’ll follow them back if it seems we’d be friends! I always respond to everyone who engages me, because I do not want to sit on some pedestal and have people adore me.

Second, I am what I write. I am not writing to become rich and famous. I doubt I could deal very well with fame, as I am a recluse, as I mentioned. If you know who I am, perhaps you’ll be more interested in the stuff I write, and more importantly, you’ll understand why I write the way I do.

Again, thank you for listening, and I am always interested in a good conversation, either here, on Facebook or on Twitter.

If you hit the Interview Menu at the top, you can listen or read about my other interviews.

This is a new edition with two new tales! Also, in addition to the book, we will be doing another batch of custom Blood Dolls, which are featured in the book. You can order your very own uniquely named and hand-made doll at this link.

Each doll has a tag with a name assigned by me, and they are all hand-made, each slightly different from the last making them a true collectible! They can sit and stand and measure 13 inches in length.

They take 4-6 weeks to arrive, but they are well worth the wait. The doll is made exclusively through Southern Gothica.

I am happy to announce that I am on schedule for releasing Waking Dream: The Unkindness Book II in the Transformation Trilogy.

This is the cover I have designed and I am feeling very good about it.

The Unkindness picks up where Devlin left off, only a few short weeks after the calamity on Halloween Night.

More information to come as we get closer to the release date, but the identity of the Immortal behind the insidious plot set in motion in Devlin will be revealed. And the world as we know it, will be forever changed.

Auber and the Dreamers of Devlin will gain new allies, and foes, as they rush to uncover the secrets of their nemesis, and trying desperately to arrest control of the Black Heart, before it is too late.

In the mean time, you can read my serial story, Lost Haven, which takes place between Book I and Book II.

And of course, Immortal Memories gives the fans a deeper insight into the lives of the Immortals you met in the first book.

Again, it is a novella, and it is a stand alone story that happens between Book I and Book II in the series.

I know that many of you have been reading the story, but I decided to release the book on Kindle to gain a larger audience than my blog.

I have decided to curtail language in my future books so that this series can appeal to both adults and young adults. Book I has one small section with language, however, it is nothing that young adults have not already been subjected to. The world is not perfect, and I am not Mary Poppins.

The underlying story of the Waking Dream is about understanding that we all have the power to change the world to what we want. And I know that will begin with our children.

You can read this novella and decide whether or not the Waking Dream is for you. Its not for everyone! But, I assure you, you can’t truly be a Dreamer until you see what lies ahead.

This is a re-release with two new stories. The paperback will be $7.99 and the Kindle version will be offered at an introductory $2.99 for a limited time!

All of the stories in this collection are related to the Waking Dream, and will give you a deeper insight into the characters you met in Waking Dream: Devlin

Each story is a different genre, to appeal to a wide range of readers:

One – The story of the beginning of the Waking Dream Universe told by the first Immortal One — formatted as a biblical story.

The Black Heart in Madness – This is the story of the final days of Ludwig II of Bavaria, and is an alternate history story with my take on his mysterious death, as well as explaining the importance of the artifact known as The Black Heart — mentioned in Devlin.

The Fairy In Red – A paranormal romance set in 1920’s New Orleans about a writer obsessed with an ethereal beauty, as he tirelessly waits night after night for her to return to a pub so he can get just one last glimpse of her. Can you guess who the narrator is?

So Long But Never Good Bye – Another paranormal romance, set in during World War II. This story chronicles the beginnings of a long-standing love affair between Olivia and Grigor.

The Place of the Sisters – A folk-lore tale spun by Grandfather Maxwell at one of the earlier Halloween celebrations in Devlin. It is the tale of three strange girls and their plight after being ejected from their home town. This story is woven into Devlin as well, and is a key to the next book in the series, The Unkindness.

What Rough Beast – This is my attempt at tasteful erotica. It is the story of a man who is inhabited by an entity known as The Beast — the Eater of Sins. In exchange, our narrator is given limited immortality to indulge his darker passions, keeping women as pets — of their own free will. This story explores the depths of human depravity, and further examines the role of the Beast in the series. Not recommended for those who are easily offended. It has been called a paranormal 50 Shades of Grey.

Vacant Eyes on the Eternal Sea – This is a new addition to the collection. It is a paranormal tale of a failed writer who finds himself obsessed with a hotel in Virginia Beach. He quickly discovers that his obsession was for reasons beyond his control.

The Charnel House – This is a horror/paranormal story about three adventurous gamers who have decided to become paranormal investigators. However, the house they chose to investigate turns out to be more than they could have ever bargained for.

The Blood Dolls – This is a magical tale about Virgil the blood doll maker, and how one night a stranger comes to him and teaches him how to animate his friends to assist him in the days to come, following the Transformation of the Waking Dream.

Here are some reviews from the previous edition:

Anne Synder – Amazon Review – 5 Stars

“This is a fascinating set of stories by a, in my opinion, brilliant author and philosopher. What a fascinating new world I have discovered thanks to him.”

M Woisard – Amazon Review – 4 stars

“Waking Dreams – Immortal Memories
I enjoyed the collection of short stories in this series and can’t wait for more. The characters are memorable, and the stories unique and intriguing. The timelines for many of the tales give a good sense of the longevity of the Immortals, and their pivotal roles in the Waking Dream universe slowly being revealed. As a new writer on the scene Mr. Hibbard shows great promise. From the Blood Dolls with their cotton hearts, to the whispery, sensual, Fairy in Red, these tales capture the imagination, and leave you with new friends you’d like to meet again, and dark, powerful enemies you’re safer only reading about. Whether Dreamer, Sleeper, or an ancient Immortal, there is something for everyone in these dark, inventive tales. It is refreshing to see a new take on the horror/occult/paranormal genre. I look forward to the first full-length novel in this series. Write on Mr. Hibbard write on!”

Justin Miller – Amazon Review – 5 stars

“I loved each story in its own way. They all left me wanting more, and when I got to the last page on my kindle app I was sad it was over. I purchased a physical copy as well to lend to friends so they could enjoy every page as I did. I encourage all readers to share this book with at least one friend.”

Sheri Smith – Amazon Review – 5 stars

“Immortal Memories: Volume 1 by E. Michael Hibbard is extremely well written and definitely appeals to a wide range of audiences. As a result, I enjoyed all of the stories each for different reasons.

My two favorite stories are “The Fairy in Red” and “So Long, But Never Say Good-Bye” due to the aspect of romance. However, be sure to note that the stories contained in this volume are definitely not that of romance. There are tales of torture, darkness, violence, rituals, and even hapless ghost hunters. All of which certainly make this an extraordinary read!

Since some of these characters transcend time, I am eagerly awaiting additional stories to see what new adventures await them whether past, present, or future!”

Today I am happy to reveal the new cover for Immortal Memories: Volume I (Second Edition)

This book will be available later this month via Amazon on both Kindle and in Trade Paperback. Immortal Memories is a collection of stories that will give a deeper insight into some of the lives of Immortals you met in the first novel of the series, Waking Dream: Devlin. There are nine stories in all, and each of them are in different genres — romance, horror, paranormal, alternate history, and even paranormal erotica.

More information about the final release date will be forth coming! But I can tell you that I will be offering the kindle and paperback version for a low introductory price! So you’ll want to grab this little gem quickly!

This is part 2 in a the blog series about the Waking Dream Philosophy. Today we are going to discuss my concept of Immortality and the difference between a Celestial Immortal and Planet Bound Immortals.

Let’s begin!

Before I get into the particulars specific to Immortality in the Waking Dream, I wanted to talk about the various forms and thoughts surrounding the concept of Immortality. Many cultures throughout history have tried, and continue to try, to wrestle with their own mortality. Death is the ultimate fear, and all fear ties back to death in some form or fashion. But the pursuit of immortality is of the physical variety. And were people able to be Immortal in physical form, we would soon over-populate the planet, unsustainable growth. The planet has a capacity, and until we find means to move to other solar systems and galaxies, we cannot afford an immortal populace. With my fiction aside, my personal belief is that we are immortal spiritually. Our consciousnesses, once formed, are permanently imprinted on the universe. We become a never-ending story in the library of the universe. Now on to Immortality in the Waking Dream.

The Story of Immortality

There are two types of Immortals in the Waking Dream Universe — The Celestial Immortals and the Planet bound Immortals.

The Celestials

There are several Celestial Immortals of note in the Waking Dream Universe. Celestial Immortals are unique to every universe and they are different from all the other Immortals because they were “born” Immortal. As mentioned in the Story of Creation, these Immortals are, with addition to a few mysterious entities, are:

One

The Magician

The High Priestess

The Charnel One

The Dexter

The Sinister

The Angel

The Beast

Each of these Immortals is responsible for a certain aspect of the Waking Dream, similar to other polytheistic religions, however they are by no means Gods. They have existed since One had the first cogent thought in the vast nothing of the Spaces Between and awoke to the truth that the universe is a Waking Dream. Celestial Immortals are free to roam the universe, within a physical construct. They are also able to travel unhindered in the realm of the Weird, The Spaces Between (to be discussed in-depth in a later post).

It is seldom that Dreamers and Planet-Bound Immortals encounter these mysterious entities, and their true goals are completely unknown, though much speculation has been made. These eight Celestials are an immutable number, and there will always be eight in every single universe in the multiverse. They command the Weird with flawless accuracy and are not to be trifled with.

In addition to the eight Celestials, there is a mysterious ninth Celestial who is rumored to be the offspring of the Magician and the High Priestess. Little is known about this Immortal, and it is believed he/she is a hybrid between the Celestials and the Planet-Bound Immortals. He is simply known as the Hidden One, and is also rumored to possess the knowledge to wield the artifact, The Black Heart, to its full potential.

The Planet-Bound

There are two levels, so to speak, of Planet-Bound Immortals. There are the Prime Immortals and the Lesser Immortals. How the five Prime Immortals came to hold this stature over the other Immortals is not known, however, they are:

Gabryal of Sumeria

Shemhazai of Egypt

Grigor Falken of Crete

Olivia Morgan of The Celts

Deakin Droon of Scandinavia

These Planet-Bound Immortal, as their name suggests, are unable to incarnate themselves anywhere than on our planet. Little is understood why they are unable to leave the planet. Once any Dreamer attains Immortality on their respective planet, they are unable to leave until that planet has run its course. The only known way for a Planet-Bound Immortal to leave Earth is through destruction by super-nova. Once this has happened, they are free to choose another planet, whereby they will be bounded to their new home.

Deakin Droon was the last of the Prime Immortals to attain Immortality. After his ascension, it was a thousand years before the Lesser Immortals began to emerge. It is unknown what happened during the thousand years of spiritual darkness, however, any Dreamer attaining immortality since his ascension is considered Lesser.

Lesser Immortals tend to be between five hundred and a thousand years old. They do not possess the same level of understanding of the Weird, and they tend to align themselves, either consciously or sub-consciously with one of the Prime Immortals. It is unknown at the time of this writing how many Dreamers have attained this status.

This full excerpt will set the stage for the novel, and help you understand what is to come, and how the Way of the Weird came to be.

Please offer feedback to me on what you read if you read it. I am writing these for you, and not for me. As I get feedback, I will adjust the novels. This is how I learn to be a better writer, and to give you an adventure you’ll want to read again and again.